cllr_kevin.humphreys@dublincity.ie
 

Then, of course, there's John Gormley - Minister of the Environment who's got the ultimate responsibility.

Address: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie 

He had the distinction of being the first elected representative in Ireland to have an email address johngormley@eircom.net
 

Please write to Minister John Gormley www.johngormley.com and ask that he refuses to issue a nationwide ban in response to this Dublin City Council decision but rather he sets up a working group and a proper consultation process to deal with the issue of restricted breeds and the control of dogs act.

Dublin City Council list the possibility of dangerous attacks or dog bites on their property as the reason for this ban. It is apparent that dog fighting and criminal activity go hand in hand. It is apparent that many of the areas affected by such activities are council run and owned. Rather than removing all dogs of a certain breed the council and the Gardai should seek towards enforcing the already existing control of dogs laws.

Other reasons this ban should be retracted immediately are as follows:

The ban is an outright infringement on the civil rights of the tenants in DCC accommodation. The Council should be working WITH the public not AGAINST the public.
Innocent dogs are being destroyed right now in vets and pounds all over the country because of this ban. This adds to the already huge figure of dogs we destroy each year. Our system cannot cope with this.
This ban will only put more pressure on dog wardens, rescue centres and dog pounds. The resources are not there to deal with the existing problem.
This ban will increase the number of dogs strayed.
High cost - The council wishes to seize the dogs from their homes and loving owners, place them into an already overcrowded dog pound and ask the public to pay for this.
Similar bans have FAILED in other European countries. For example Italy have a ban on over 90 breeds including the Corgi and the Collie. Where will this stop?

No research or consultation process was completed. Dublin City Council is calling for a nationwide ban without a consultation process. They forget that they work for the people. Knee jerk reaction decisions like this do not benefit the public and lead to further problems. Dublin city council have not yet produced any supporting information to support this ban. No bite stats, no breed information, no background studies done, no working group set-up, no consultation process with professionals such as behaviourists and vets
Dublin city council are UNAVAILABLE for explanation. This is not democratic and goes against our civil rights as Irish citizens.

What should be done?
We agree that Legislation is needed. The control of dogs act should be revised and the areas of Breeding and Restricted breeds reworked. A working group of trainers, behaviourists, vets and organisations dealing with dogs should be set-up and work started to amend the current control of dogs legislation.

We believe the answer is not a ban but rather education and the promotion of responsible dog ownership supported by legislation . Such legislation is long overdue. The area of regulation of breeding establishments has been dealt with and the recommendations of the working group is sitting on Minister Gormleys desk to be introduced. We now need a similar process to deal with restricted breeds and dangerous dogs.

We urge everyone to contact Dublin City Council and ask that this ban be retracted immediately until such time as a working solution can be reached. We also ask that you contact your local representative and Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

Please join us on Friday the 13th @ 2pm. Please do not bring any dogs. We expect a large turnout so please advise by reply email if you can attend. If you are a welfare group or dog related group please come in uniform or bring something to identify yourself. Bring posters and information. Pass this on to as many as possible. We must act now.

Please let us know by reply email if you can make it with your organisation details. We will then add you to the support list.

Miriam
info@anvilireland.ie